Billionaire Profile
Lee Su-jin
Global Rank
#3078

Image: Harald Krichel | CC BY-SA 4.0 | via Wikimedia Commons

Lee Su-jin

CEO, Hospitality
SOUTH KOREA
Real-Time Net Worth
$1.053B
Estimated based on Hospitality stock value as of March 6, 2026
0% (24h)
Age
47
Source
Hospitality
Industry
Technology
Citizenship
SOUTH KOREA

Biography

Lee Su-jin is a prominent South Korean businessman, best known as the founder and chairman of Yanolja, a leading travel and leisure superapp. Born in February 1978, Lee's journey is a testament to resilience and entrepreneurial spirit. Orphaned as a child, he overcame early challenges to build a multi-billion dollar empire in the hospitality and technology sectors. His source of wealth is primarily rooted in the success of Yanolja. As of February 2, 2026, his net worth is estimated at $1.6 billion, reflecting his significant achievements and contributions to the industry. Lee's career trajectory, marked by strategic acquisitions and innovative mobile app development, has positioned Yanolja as a dominant force in the South Korean travel market.

Fact Checked
Verified by Editorial Team
Live Data
Updated 3/6/2026

Wealth Over Time

In-Depth Profile

Early Life

Lee Su-jin was born in Chungju, South Korea, in February 1978. Growing up as an orphan, Lee faced considerable hardship, and he was raised by his grandparents. Before founding Yanolja, he worked in a love hotel, starting as a janitor and eventually becoming a manager. In his youth, he struggled with reading and writing.

Rise to Success

Lee's entrepreneurial journey began in 2004 with the creation of a website called "Motel Story", which catered to people in the hospitality industry. This website gained popularity, leading him to acquire "Motel Tour" in 2005. Lee then leveraged these platforms to launch Yanolja, a travel and leisure company. In 2007, he registered the domain "yanolja.com." In 2021, the company received a significant investment from SoftBank Vision Fund, further fueling its growth through mergers and acquisitions.

Key Business Strategies

Lee adopted an aggressive strategy of mergers and acquisitions, expanding Yanolja's services and reach. Under his leadership, Yanolja focused on mobile app development, acquiring Hotel Now in 2016 and Leisure Q the same year. By 2024, Yanolja had become the largest travel and leisure company in South Korea, driven by record revenues and profits.

Philanthropy

Information about Lee Su-jin's specific philanthropy is currently unavailable based on the search results. However, Lee's success can be seen as a result of his entrepreneurial vision, strategic acumen, and relentless drive.

Career Milestones

2004

Founded "Motel Story" Website

Created a website for people working in the hospitality industry.

2005

Acquired "Motel Tour" Website

Acquired a website with over 200,000 members that was the third largest site for the industry.

2005 or 2007

Founded Yanolja

Founded a travel services company which later became a superapp.

2021

SoftBank Investment

Yanolja received a US$1.7 billion investment from SoftBank Vision Fund.

2024

Forbes Ranking

Ranked as #22 richest in South Korea by Forbes.